the civil rights movement, and legislative matters on abortion. Within the diocese, his positive actions to aid Catholic education, improve interaction with the Latino community, and renovate the interior of the cathedral were undermined by divisions, school closures, and world tensions. Retirement and legacy Pope John Paul II accepted Bell's resignation on July 11, 1979, at the age of 75. In October 1979, a knife-wielding assailant, William Luthin, attacked and cut Bell several times while he was off-duty in the cathedral's chancery. He was stabbed twice before his secretary, Jean Tamaki, was able to pull Luthin away by his shirt, Bell had been in his office preparing for a trip to see Pope John Paul II in Chicago, Illinois. Luthin surrendered to police at a hospitalafter telling nurses, "Call somebody. I stabbed a priest." A knife was found on the office couch together with the sales receipt from a nearby store. Bell was held overnight at Mercy General Hospital with hand and rib wounds. Luthin had seen the bishop earlier that day and reportedly complained about being excommunicated. The bishop's trip to meet the pope was canceled. Luthin was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Alden Bell died of esophageal cancer on August 28, 1982, aged 78. Quotes Then Governor Ronald Reagan's 1970 letter to Bell answering his request on "the tragic situation of Catholic school finances in California." From a May 1976 letter written by Bell that was read at all diocesan Masses concerning the deaths of 27 high school choir members and their champerone. Bishop Francis Quinn on the subject of Bell's 1982 death. The Reverend James C. Kidder, the bishop's secretary for 12 years, on the subject of Bell's 1982 death. References 1904 births 1982 deaths 20th-century Roman Catholic bishops in the United States Canadian Roman Catholic bishops Canadian emigrants to the United States Catholic University of America alumni Deaths from cancer in California Deaths from esophageal cancer Participants in the Second Vatican Council Roman Catholic bishops of Sacramento People from Peterborough, Ontario Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles Saint Patrick's Seminary and University alumni Stabbing survivors Stabbing attacks in the United States